Bayonet lock MPO connector

ABSTRACT

Optical fiber connectors for MT/MPO type ferrule assemblies are disclosed, having an overall connector length less than about 32 mm, for example, an overall length of about 18.5 mm for non-reinforced optical fiber cables, and an overall length of about 23.5 mm for reinforced optical fiber cables. In one embodiment, a connector comprises a ferrule assembly, and a housing coupled to the ferrule assembly and configured to couple to an adapter corresponding to the ferrule assembly. The connector further includes a lock coupled to the housing and configured to rotate so as to lock and unlock the housing from said adapter. An interface member coupled to the housing may include a stop configured to limit rotation of the lock. The interface member may include a reinforcement portion for reinforcing optical fiber cables.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/874,670, filed Oct. 5, 2015, which is a continuation-in-partapplication of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/790,077 filed on Jul.2, 2015 both of which are incorporated herein by reference in theirentirety.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates generally to optical fiber connectors andsystems, and specifically to MPO (Multi-fiber Push On) type opticalfiber connectors having a compact design.

Fiber optics have become the standard cabling medium used by datacenters to meet the growing needs for data volume, transmission speeds,and low losses. An optical fiber connector is a mechanical devicedisposed at an end of an optical fiber, and acts as a connector ofoptical paths, for example when optical fibers are joined to each other.An optical fiber connector may be coupled with an adapter to connect anoptical fiber cable to other optical fiber cables or devices. An adaptergenerally includes a housing, or portion of a housing, having at leastone port which is configured to receive and hold a connector tofacilitate the optical connection of one connector to another connectoror other device.

An MPO connector is a multi-fiber connector defined by industrystandards. A conventional MPO connector has many constituent parts and apush/pull locking and unlocking mechanism, resulting in a relativelylong connector design that wastes too much space, and which may not besufficiently small for use in certain applications. Moreover,conventional MPO connectors are composed of many constituent parts,increasing the cost of materials and labor, as well as the complexity ofassembly. Accordingly, there is a need for MPO type optical fiberconnectors that have a more compact design than conventional MPOconnectors.

SUMMARY

Embodiments disclosed herein address the aforementioned shortcomings ofconventional MPO connectors by providing MPO connectors having a lock,such as a bayonet lock or a locking ring, and less constituent parts,resulting in a shorter length than conventional MPO connectors. Forexample, in one embodiment, an MPO connector may have a length less thanabout 37 mm. For example, the length of the MPO connector may be about18.5 mm for a bare (non-reinforced) ribbon type fiber cable. Bycontrast, a conventional MPO connector typically has a length of about37 mm. In another embodiment, the length of the MPO connector may beabout 23.5 mm for a reinforced cable, prior to attachment of thereinforced cable and prior to addition of a strain relief. By contrast,a conventional MPO connector for a reinforced cable has a length ofabout 31 mm prior to attachment of the reinforced cable and prior toaddition of a strain relief.

Other advantages of embodiments disclosed herein include lower cost ofmaterials and assembly, and compatibility with conventional MPO adaptersthat are in use in various applications. Furthermore, variousembodiments of MPO connectors disclosed herein are compatible with MPOtype ferrule assemblies that are in use in various applications. Thus,various embodiments disclosed herein are backwards compatible withconventional MPO assemblies and adapters.

According to one aspect, there is disclosed a connector comprising aferrule assembly, a housing coupled to the ferrule assembly andconfigured to couple to an adapter corresponding to the ferruleassembly, and a lock coupled to the housing and configured to rotate soas to lock and unlock the housing from said adapter. The ferruleassembly may be an MT/MPO ferrule assembly or an MPO ferrule assembly.The lock may be a ring configured to rotate about the housing. In someembodiments, the lock may be a bayonet lock.

In various embodiments, the connector may have a single housing. Thatis, the housing coupled to the ferrule assembly may be the only housingof said connector. The housing may include a front portion and a rearportion, and the front portion may be configured to receive the ferruleassembly. The lock may be coupled to the rear portion of the housing. Insome embodiments, the housing may include a cylindrical portion. Thecylindrical portion may be the rear portion of the housing. The bayonetlock may be disposed about the cylindrical portion. In some embodiments,the lock may include at least one flexing tab configured to snap into arespective groove of the housing so as to couple the lock to thehousing. The housing may include a stop configured to limit rotation ofthe lock.

In some embodiments, the connector may further comprise a ferrule springdisposed within the housing. The housing may include at least one catchand the ferrule assembly may be secured to the housing between theferrule spring and the at least one catch. The housing may comprise aplurality of inclined surfaces configured to facilitate coupling of theferrule assembly to the housing. In some embodiments, the housing mayinclude a plurality of slits configured to allow flexing of the housing.

In various embodiments, the housing may include at least one recessconfigured to receive a respective catch of an adapter. The lock mayinclude at least one tab configured to cover the respective catch ofsaid adapter disposed in the at least one recess of the housing when thelock is in a locked position. The at least one tab may be configured touncover the respective catch of said adapter disposed in the at leastone recess of the housing when the lock is in an unlocked position, toallow decoupling the housing from the adapter.

Various embodiments of connectors disclosed herein may have a lengthless than about 37 mm. Some embodiments may have a length less than orequal to about 18.5 mm. For example, one embodiment of a connector mayhave a length of about 18.5 mm. In various embodiments wherein thehousing is coupled to an adapter, a portion of the connector protrudingfrom said adapter may have a length less than about 26 mm. In someembodiments, the housing may be coupled to an adapter, and a portion ofthe connector protruding from said adapter may have a length less thanor equal to about 7.5 mm. For example, the length of the portion of theconnector protruding from an adapter coupled thereto may be about 7.5mm.

According to another aspect, there is disclosed a connector comprising ahousing configured to receive a ferrule assembly, and to couple to anadapter corresponding to said ferrule assembly, and a lock coupled tothe housing and configured to rotate around the housing so as to lockand unlock the housing from said adapter. The housing may be configuredto receive an MT/MPO ferrule assembly or an MPO ferrule assembly, and tocouple to an MPO adapter. The lock may be a bayonet lock. In someembodiments, the length of the connector may be less than or equal toabout 18.5 mm. Various features described in conjunction with otherembodiments may further be included in this embodiment.

According to another aspect, there is disclosed a connector comprising aferrule assembly, a housing coupled to the ferrule assembly andconfigured to couple to an adapter corresponding to the ferruleassembly, a lock coupled to the housing and configured to rotate so asto lock and unlock the housing from said adapter, and an interfacemember coupled to the housing and having a stop configured to limitrotation of the lock. The ferrule assembly may be one of an MT/MPOferrule assembly and an MPO ferrule assembly. The lock may be a ringconfigured to rotate about the housing. For example, the lock may be abayonet lock.

In various embodiments comprising the interface member, the housing maybe the only housing of said connector. The housing may include a rearportion and the bayonet lock may be disposed about the rear portion. Insome embodiments, the lock may include at least one flexing tabconfigured to snap into a respective groove of the housing so as tocouple the lock to the housing. The housing may include a front portionand a rear portion, the rear portion being configured to receive theferrule assembly. The lock may also be coupled to the rear portion ofthe housing.

Some embodiments comprising the interface member may further comprise aferrule spring disposed within the housing. The ferrule assembly mayinclude a raised flange and the housing may include a correspondingferrule flange stop, the ferrule assembly being secured to the housingbetween the ferrule spring and the ferrule flange stop. The housing mayfurther comprise a plurality of inclined surfaces configured tofacilitate coupling of the ferrule assembly to the housing. The housingmay include at least one recess configured to receive a respective catchof the adapter. The lock may include at least one tab configured tocover the respective catch of said adapter disposed in at least onerecess of the housing when the lock is in a locked position. At leastone tab may be configured to uncover the respective catch of the adapterdisposed in a recess of the housing when the lock is in an unlockedposition, to allow decoupling the housing from the adapter.

Various embodiments may have a length less than about 32 mm. Forexample, the length may be less than or equal to about 18.5 mm. In someembodiments, the interface member may include a reinforcement portionconfigured to reinforce an optical fiber cable received by the interfacemember. These embodiments may have a length less than or equal to about23.5 mm.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a prior art MPO connector;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the assembled prior art MPO connector ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top view of the prior art MPO connector of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the prior art MPO connector of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the prior art MPO connector of FIG.2;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a prior art MPO adapter that iscompatible with various embodiments of connectors according to aspectsof the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a front view of the prior art MPO adapter of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the prior art MPO adapter of FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the prior art MPO connector of FIG.2 being inserted into the prior art adapter of FIG. 6;

FIG. 10 is a side view of the prior art MPO connector of FIG. 2 coupledto the prior art adapter of FIG. 6;

FIGS. 11A and 11B are cross-sectional views of the prior art MPOconnector and adapter of FIG. 10 just before latching;

FIGS. 12A and 12B are cross-sectional views of the coupled prior art MPOconnector and adapter of FIG. 11A in a latched position;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the prior art MPO connector of FIG. 2coupled to an adapter disposed on a panel of adapters;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a plurality of prior art MPO connectorscoupled to adapters on a high density panel, creating access issues;

FIG. 15 is an exploded view of one embodiment of a connector accordingto aspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing an assembled form of theembodiment of the connector of FIG. 15, having a length of 18.5 mmaccording to aspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the prior art MPO connector of FIG. 2,having a length of 37 mm in comparison with the embodiment of FIG. 16which has a length of 18.5 mm;

FIG. 18 is a side view of the connector of FIG. 16 according to aspectsof the present disclosure;

FIG. 19 is a front view of a bayonet lock according to aspects of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 20 is an exploded view of the connector of FIG. 16, showing thehousing and lock according to aspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 21 is a side view of the housing of FIG. 16, showing a slit toallow flexing according to aspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 22 is a top view of the housing of FIG. 21, showing a groove and aplurality of stops according to aspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 23 is a front view of the housing of FIG. 21 according to aspectsof the present disclosure;

FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view of the housing of FIG. 21 beingcoupled to a ferrule assembly, showing a ferrule spring and a pluralityof inclined surfaces of the housing according to aspects of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 25A is a front view of a lock in an unlocked position according toaspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 25B is a perspective view of the connector of FIG. 16 in anunlocked position, showing a recess in the housing being uncovered by atab of the lock in the unlocked position according to aspects of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 26A is a front view of the lock of FIG. 25A in a locked positionaccording to aspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 26B is a perspective view of the connector of FIG. 25B in a lockedposition, showing a recess in the housing being covered by a tab of thelock in the locked position according to aspects of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 27 is a perspective view of a locked connector coupled to anadapter positioned near a circuit board according to aspects of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 28 is a perspective view of the connector of FIG. 27 in an unlockedposition and coupled to an adapter positioned near a circuit boardaccording to aspects of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 29A and 29B are perspective views of the connector of FIG. 27coupled to an adapter positioned near a circuit board, showing the useof tool for locking and unlocking the connector according to aspects ofthe present disclosure;

FIG. 30 is a perspective view of a connector coupled to an adapter in ahigh density panel, showing the use of a tool for axially locking andunlocking the connector according to aspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 31 illustrates the assembled length of various embodimentsaccording to aspects of the present disclosure, in comparison with thelength of a conventional MPO connector;

FIG. 32 is an exploded view of one embodiment of a connector fornon-reinforced cables according to aspects of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 33A and 33B are various cross-sectional views of the embodimentshown in FIG. 32 prior to complete assembly according to aspects of thepresent disclosure;

FIGS. 34A and 34B are various cross-sectional views of the embodimentshown in FIG. 32 after assembly according to aspects of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 35 is an exploded view of one embodiment of a connector forreinforced cables according to aspects of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 36A and 36B are various cross-sectional views of the embodimentshown in FIG. 35 prior to complete assembly according to aspects of thepresent disclosure; and

FIGS. 37A and 37B are various cross-sectional views of the embodimentshown in FIG. 35 after assembly according to aspects of the presentdisclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As used herein, the term “optical fiber” is intended to apply to alltypes of single mode and multi-mode light waveguides, including one ormore bare optical fibers, coated optical fibers, loose-tube opticalfibers, tight-buffered optical fibers, ribbonized optical fibers, bendperformance optical fibers, bend insensitive optical fibers,nanostructured optical fibers or any other expedient for transmittinglight signals. A multi-fiber optic cable includes a plurality of theoptical fibers. For connection of cables together or with other fiberoptic devices, the terminal ends of a cable may include a connector. Aconnector may include a housing structure configured to interact withand connect with an adapter.

An MPO connector is a multi-fiber connector defined by industrystandards. One brand of an MPO connector is an MPT connector. Aconventional MPO connector has many constituent parts and a push/pulllocking and unlocking mechanism, resulting in a relatively longconnector, increased cost of materials and labor, as well as thecomplexity of assembly.

FIG. 1 shows an exploded view of a prior art MPO connector 100. Theconnector 100 is an assembly having eight parts. The connector 100includes a main body or inner housing 102, a ferrule assembly 104, aferrule spring 106, a spring retainer/pusher 108, a strain relief, twoouter housing springs 112 and 114, and a sliding outer housing 116.Conventional MPO connectors use multiple housing components, such as theinner housing and the outer housing of the connector 100.

A perspective view of the assembled prior art MPO connector of FIG. 1 isshown in FIG. 2. The ferrule assembly 104 disposed within the innerhousing 102, which is further disposed within the outer housing 116, andcoupled to the strain relief 110. In the assembled form shown in FIG. 2,the connector 100 has an overall length of about 37 mm. FIG. 3 is a topview of the prior art MPO connector 100 of FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a side viewof the prior art MPO connector 100 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of the prior art MPO connector 100,along section A-A shown in FIG. 4. FIG. 5 further shows the outersprings 112 and 114, configured to allow sliding of the outer housing116. The inner housing 102 includes recesses 118 and 120 for engagingwith the catches of an adapter.

A perspective view of a prior art MPO adapter 600 is shown in FIG. 6.The adapter includes an adapter housing 602, and adapter catches 604 and606. FIG. 7 is a front view of the prior art MPO adapter of FIG. 6,showing the catches 604 and 606. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of theprior art MPO adapter 600 along section X-X of FIG. 7, showing thecatches 604 and 606, and a channel 608 configured to receive at least aportion of a ferrule assembly within the housing 602.

The prior art MPO connector 100 may be inserted into the adapter 600 bypushing the strain relief 110, as shown in FIG. 9. Conventional MPOconnectors, such as the connector 100, use both the strain relief andthe sliding outer housing for latching to and unlatching from theadapter 600. Specifically, the MPO connector 100 is pushed using thestrain relief 110 to latch the connector into the adapter and the outerhousing 116 is pulled or retracted to unlatch the connector from theadapter. These components, as well as the many constituent parts of theMPO adapter as shown in FIG. 1 are necessary for locking and unlockingthe MPO connector and the adapter. Moreover, the design of aconventional MPO connector dictates that these components be arrangedadjacent to one another, thereby resulting in a relatively long lengthof the conventional MPO connector. For example, the length of theconnector 100 is about 37 mm.

A side view of the prior art MPO connector 100 coupled to the adapter600 is shown in FIG. 10. FIGS. 11A and 11B show cross-sectional views ofthe MPO connector 100 and the adapter 600 along Section X-X shown inFIG. 10, just prior to latching. FIG. 11B shows a zoomed portionenclosed within the circle 1100 of FIG. 11A. Specifically, FIG. 11Bshows an MPO adapter catch 604 within the housing 602 of the MPO adapter600, and a recess 118 of the connector 100 just prior to latching. Asthe MPO connector 100 travels into the MPO adapter 600, the catches ofthe adapter, including catch 604, flex outward. With the catches opened,the catches push back the outer sliding housing 116 which is springloaded, and engage the recesses, including recess 118, of the MPOconnector 100.

FIGS. 12A and 12B show cross-sectional views of the MPO connector 100and the adapter 600 along Section X-X shown in FIG. 10, after latching.FIG. 12B shows a zoomed portion enclosed within the circle 1200 of FIG.12A. Specifically, FIG. 12B shows that the MPO adapter catch 604 withinthe housing 602 of the MPO adapter 600 has engaged the recess 118 of theconnector 100. The sliding outer housing 116 has been pushed forward bythe springs 112 and 114 as shown in FIG. 12A.

Connectors may need to couple to adapters placed in high density panels.For example, FIG. 13 shows the MPO connector 100 coupled to the adapter600 disposed in a panel 1300 having a plurality of MPO adapters. Theconnector 100 has a multi-fiber ribbon 1302. The MPO adapter 100 isinserted into the adapter 600 by pushing in while holding the strainrelief 110 by hand. The MPO connector 100 is removed from the paneladapter 600 by pulling back the sliding outer housing 116 by hand. FIG.14 shows additional conventional MPO connectors 1400 coupled to adapters1402 on the high density panel 1300, creating problems for access to anyMPO connector located in the middle of the MPO adapter field. Reachinginto the middle of the field of adapters to remove an MPO connector isimpossible to accomplish by hand without damage or disruption toadjacent MPO connectors and delicate ribbon fibers 1404.

Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to addressing theshortcomings of the conventional MPO connectors described in relationwith FIGS. 1 to 14. Various embodiments disclosed herein provideconnectors that are shorter than the conventional connectors and haveless components, thereby being both cost efficient and capable of use intight spaces. Moreover, various embodiments may be compatible withexisting adapters, such as the MPO adapters described in relation withFIGS. 6 to 8.

FIG. 15 shows one embodiment of a connector 1500 according to aspects ofthe present disclosure. The connector 1500 includes an MPO ferruleassembly 1502, a ferrule spring 1504, a main body or housing 1506 and alock 1508. Connectors disclosed herein may include less componentscompared to conventional MPO connectors. For example, the connector 1500includes four components, less than the eight components of known MPOconnectors as shown in FIG. 1. In various embodiments, a connector mayinclude an MPO connector or an MT/MPO connector. For example, theferrule may be an MT ferrule, whereas the ferrule assembly may be an MPOferrule assembly. Although the ferrule assembly 1502 shown in FIG. 15 isa male ferrule assembly, various embodiments disclosed herein mayinclude a female ferrule assembly.

In one embodiment, the housing may include a front portion and a rearportion. The rear portion may be cylindrically shaped. For example, asshown in FIG. 15, the housing 1506 includes a front portion 1510 and acylindrical rear portion 1512. The housing 1506 may be configured toreceive the ferrule assembly 1502 from the front portion 1510 of thehousing. This is in contrast with the conventional MPO connectors, wherethe ferrule is received from the rear portion of the inner housing. Forexample, in FIG. 1, the inner housing 102 is configured to receive theferrule assembly 104 from the rear portion of the inner housing. Anadvantage of receiving the ferrule assembly through the front of thehousing is that it allows the rear portion of the housing to accommodatea single locking and unlocking mechanism for the connector. Anotheradvantage is the use of less components in the connector.

The housing 1506 is configured to receive both the ferrule spring 1504and the ferrule assembly 1502 through the front portion 1510. Theferrule spring 1504 and the ferrule assembly may be common parts used inconventional MPO connectors. In other embodiments, the ferrule assemblyor the ferrule spring may be new or different types than those used inconventional connectors.

Moreover, in one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 15, the cylindricalportion 1512 of the housing 1506 may be configured to couple to the lock1508. The lock may be configured to rotate about the housing so as tolock and unlock the housing from an adapter corresponding to the ferruleassembly 1502. In this embodiment, the lock 1508 is a bayonet lock. Inother embodiments, the lock may be of another type. In one embodiment,the lock may be a ring coupled to the housing by any other couplingmeans and configured to rotate about the housing so as to lock andunlock the housing from an adapter.

As shown in FIG. 15, the bayonet lock 1508 may be configured to coupleto the cylindrical portion of the housing 1506. The housing 1506, andspecifically the cylindrical portion 1512 in this embodiment, may haveat least one groove 1514 and at least one stop 1516. Further, the lock1508 may include at least one flexing tab 1518 configured to snap intothe groove 1514 so as to couple the lock to the housing 1506. The stop1516 may be disposed on the housing 1506 so as to limit rotation of thelock 1508.

Various coupling mechanisms may be provided for coupling the connectorto an adapter. For example, in one embodiment as shown in FIG. 15, thehousing 1506 may have at least one recess 1520 configured to receive arespective catch of an adapter so as to couple the connector 1500 to theadapter. Moreover, the housing 1506 may have at least one slit 1522 toallow flexing of the housing. In some embodiments, as shown, the lock1508 may also have at least one tab 1524 positioned so as to allowcovering a respective recess 1520 of the housing, as well as arespective adapter catch, when the lock 1508 is in a locked position.

An assembled form of the connector 1500 is shown in FIG. 16. The lengthof the assembled MPO connector 1500 is about 18.5 mm. By contrast, asshown in FIG. 17, the prior art MPO connector 100 has a length of about37 mm. Embodiments disclosed herein allow shorter length MPO connectors,for example, by using a single housing and a rotating mechanism thatrequires twisting to latch and unlatch. By contrast, conventional MPOconnectors use multiple housing components and a sliding mechanism tolatch and unlatch.

FIG. 18 is a side view of the connector 1500, showing the housing 1506having a slit 1522 and a recess 1520 covered by the tab 1524 of the lock1508 disposed around the rear cylindrical portion 1512. The ferruleassembly 1502 is coupled to the housing 1506.

In some embodiments of connectors disclosed herein, bayonet type locksmay be provided. FIG. 19 is a front view of the bayonet lock 1508,showing two flexing tabs 1518 configured to snap into respective groovesof the housing. In some embodiments, the lock 1508 may have recesses1900 configured to limit rotation of the lock in conjunction with stopsdisposed on the housing, such as the stop 1516 shown in FIG. 15. In someembodiments, the lock 1508 may also have recesses 1902 configured toreceive a tool to facilitate rotation of the lock, especially when theconnector is coupled to an adapter in a high density adapter panel. Thearrows on the lock 1508 indicate lock and unlock directions.

FIG. 20 shows an exploded view of the connector 1500 including thehousing 1506 and the bayonet lock 1508. The arrow indicates thedirection of assembly of the lock with the housing. The housing 1506 mayinclude slits 1522 and recesses 1520 on either side of the housing. Thehousing 1506 may also have stops 1516 on either side of the housing, andgrooves 1514 at the top and bottom of the housing, disposed around thecylindrical portion 1512 so as to couple the lock 1508 to the housing.The stops 1516 are bumps on each side of the housing 1506, andconfigured to fit into recesses 1900 inside the bayonet lock 1508 tolimit rotation and provide stops at the locked and unlocked positions ofthe bayonet lock.

As shown in FIG. 20, in some embodiments, the lock 1508 may have twoflexing tabs 1518 arranged in positions corresponding to that of the twogrooves 1514 of the housing 1506, and configured to engage the groovesto couple the lock to the housing. The lock 1508 may also have recesses1900 configured to engage the stops 1516 to limit rotation of the lock.Moreover, the lock 1508 may have recesses 1902 configured to receive aportion of a tool to rotate the lock. Finally, the lock 1508 may havetwo tabs 1524 on either side of the lock, positioned to correspond tothe locations of the recesses 1520 of the housing 1506 to allow coveringthe recesses and respective catches of an adapter coupled to theconnector 1500. In other embodiments, the lock may be configured toinclude a different number or arrangement of flexing tabs, recesses forstops, recesses for a locking and unlocking tool, and tabs to facilitatecoupling and decoupling the connector to and from an adapter.

FIG. 21 is a side view of the housing 1506, showing the slit 1522, therecess 1520, the stop 1516 and the two grooves 1514. In this embodiment,the housing is symmetrical, such that the other side of the housing isidentical to the side shown in FIG. 21. However, in other embodiments,the housing need not be symmetrical, and various features disclosesherein may be arranged in different configurations. FIG. 22 shows a topview of the housing 1506, showing the top groove 1514 and a two stops1516 on the sides of the housing, specifically positioned on thecylindrical portion 1512 that is configured to couple with a lock.

FIGS. 23 and 24 illustrate one embodiment of the interior of the housing1506. FIG. 23 shows a front view through the housing 1506, illustratingone embodiment wherein the housing includes inclined surfaces 2300within the housing. FIG. 24 also shows the inclined surfaces 2300configured to facilitate coupling of the ferrule assembly 1502 to thehousing 1506. The cross-sectional view of the housing in FIG. 24 alsoshows that the housing may accommodate the ferrule spring 1504 disposedwithin the housing, and may also include a plurality of catches 2400configured to engage the ferrule assembly 1502. The ferrule assembly1502 may be inserted into the housing 1506 through a front portion 1510of the housing. The ferrule assembly 1502 may include a plurality ofcorners 2402 which engage the catches 2400. Thus, the ferrule assembly1502 may be secured to the housing 1506 between the ferrule spring 1504and the catches 2400.

The bayonet lock 1508 is shown in an unlocked position in FIG. 25A, andin a locked position in FIG. 26A. During operation of one embodiment,the connector is pushed by the bayonet lock into an adapter, followingby a 1/12^(th) rotational twist to latch and lock the connector to theadapter. The reverse is done to unlatch and unlock the connector fromthe adapter. In some embodiments, the lock may be configured so as tomake a clicking noise and/or provide another form of feedback to theuser when twisting the lock. This will allow the user to moreconveniently recognize the switch between locked and unlocked states ofthe connector. In one embodiment, when the bayonet lock 1508 is in anunlocked position, as shown in FIG. 25B, the recesses 1520 of thehousing may be uncovered. On the other hand, when the bayonet lock 1508is in a locked position, as shown in FIG. 26B, the tabs 1524 of the lockmay cover the recesses 1520 of the housing, as well as the catches ofthe adapter coupled to the recesses.

The connector 1500 may be coupled to an adapter positioned on a panel orinside a device or module, or close to a circuit board. For example,FIG. 27 shows the connector 1500 having a ribbon fiber 2700. Ribbonfibers may be delicate, requiring careful handling. For example, asshown in FIG. 27, the connector 1500 is coupled to an adapter 2702positioned near a circuit board 2704. The compact size and shorterlength of the connector 1500 requires less space inside a device ormodule, a benefit when positioned to circuit boards. The connector 1500is shown to be in a locked position in FIG. 27. The same connector 1500is shown in an unlocked position in FIG. 28. The bayonet lock 1508 isshown to be twisted relative to the locked position in FIG. 27. In oneembodiment, when the connector is coupled to an adapter as shown forexample in FIGS. 27 and 28, the portion of the connector protruding fromthe adapter may have a length less than or equal to about 7.5 mm. Inother embodiments, the length of the protruding portion may be less thanthat of a conventional connector, e.g. less than about 26 mm.

Various embodiments of connectors disclosed herein may be configured toallow locking and unlocking using tools. FIG. 29A shows a tool 2900,such as a wrench, in an unlocked position of the connector 1500, andFIG. 29B shows the same tool moved to a locked position, thereby lockingthe connector to the adapter 2702.

In some embodiments where adapters are positioned in high density panelsor delicate spaces, locking or unlocking using a tool positioned in atransverse plane of the connector, as shown in FIGS. 29A and 29B, maynot be feasible. In such cases, a tool, such as tool 3000 shown in FIG.30, positioned along the longitudinal axial direction of the connector1500 may allow access to the high density panel 3002 having a pluralityof adapters 3004 arranged in close proximity. Accordingly, the connectormay be configured with recesses 1902, as shown and described for examplein relation with FIG. 19. The recesses 1902 may be configured to receiverespective keys 3006 of the tool 3000, thereby allowing convenientmanipulation of the connector 1500, even in high density spaces.

FIG. 31 illustrates the lengths of various embodiments of assembledconnectors in comparison with the length of a conventional MPO connector3100. Connector 3102 is one embodiment of a connector for non-reinforced(bare) optical fiber cables. The connector 3102 is configured accordingto features described herein, such as the embodiment described inrelation with FIG. 15. As shown, in one example, the length of theconnector 3102 is about 18.5 mm. Connector 3104 is another embodiment ofa connector for reinforced optical fiber cables. The connector 3104 maybe configured to include one or more features of connectors for barecables, and may further include additional components, such as areinforcing portion 3106. As shown, in one example, the length of theconnector 3104 is about 23.5 mm prior to attachment to the optical fibercable, and prior to addition of a strain relief. By contrast, connector3100 is a conventional MPO connector for a reinforced cable, having alength of 32 mm prior to attachment to the optical fiber cable, andprior to addition of a strain relief. Various embodiments of connectorsfor reinforced cables disclosed herein have an assembled length lessthan that of a conventional connector, that is less than about 32 mm.

FIG. 32 illustrates one embodiment of a connector 3200 for a barenon-reinforced optical fiber cable. The connector 3200 includes ahousing 3202 having a front portion 3204 and a rear portion 3206. Thehousing 3202 is configured to receive a ferrule assembly 3208 from therear portion 3206. The ferrule assembly includes a ferrule 3210 and analignment member 3212. The housing 3202 is further be configured toreceive the ferrule spring 3214 from the rear portion 3206. Inembodiments wherein the housing is configured to receive the ferruleassembly from the rear portion rather than the front portion, theconnector may further include a separate interface member 3216 for thelock 3218, as shown in FIG. 32. The rear portion 3206 of the housing3202 is configured to couple with the interface member 3216. Theinterface member 3216 includes a stop 3220, similar to the stop 1516described in relation with FIG. 15. The interface member 3216 isconfigured to receive an optical fiber cable. The rear portion 3206 ofthe housing 3202 also includes a groove 3222, similar to groove 1514described in relation with FIG. 15. The same features of the lock 1508in FIG. 15 may also be included in the lock 3218, including flexing tabs3224 configured to engage the grooves 3222, and the tabs 3226.

FIG. 33A shows a partially assembled view of the connector 3200,including a top view of the housing 3202, and a top view of the ferruleassembly 3208 coupled to the interface member 3216, the spring 3214, andfurther coupled to the lock 3218. As shown, the ferrule assembly 3208 isconfigured to include a raised flange 3300. FIG. 33B shows across-sectional view of FIG. 33A along section X-X. FIG. 33B also showsthe raised flange 3300. The housing 3202 includes a correspondingferrule flange stop 3302 to facilitate proper fitting of the ferrulewithin the housing 3202.

FIG. 34A shows the assembled connector 3200 of FIGS. 32, 33A and 33B.The connector 3200 may be configured to have an assembled length lessthan about 32 mm, for example, an assembled length of about 18.5 mm orless as shown in FIG. 31. FIG. 34B shows a cross-sectional view of theconnector 3200 of FIG. 34A along section X-X. FIG. 34B further shows theraised flange 3300 of the ferrule assembly 3208, and the correspondingferrule flange stop 3302 of the housing 3202. Further, FIG. 34B showsthat the flexing tab 3224 of the bayonet lock 3218 has engaged thegroove 3222 of the housing 3202 so as to hold the assembly together.

FIG. 35 illustrates one embodiment of a connector 3500 for a reinforcedoptical fiber cable. The connector 3500 includes a housing 3502 having afront portion 3504 and a rear portion 3506. The housing 3502 isconfigured to receive a ferrule assembly 3508 from the rear portion3506. The ferrule assembly 3508 includes a ferrule 3510 and an alignmentmember 3512. The housing 3502 is further be configured to receive theferrule spring 3514 from the rear portion 3506. In embodiments whereinthe housing is configured to receive the ferrule assembly from the rearportion rather than the front portion of the housing, the connector mayfurther include a separate interface member 3516 for the lock 3518, asshown in FIG. 35. The rear portion 3506 of the housing 3502 isconfigured to couple with the interface member 3516. The interfacemember 3516 includes a stop 3520, similar to the stop 1516 described inrelation with FIG. 15. The interface member 3516 is configured toreceive an optical fiber cable. The interface member 3516 furtherincludes a reinforcement portion 3530 so as to reinforce the opticalfiber cable coupled to the connector 3500. The rear portion 3506 of thehousing 3502 includes a groove 3522, similar to groove 1514 described inrelation with FIG. 15. The same features of the lock 1508 in FIG. 15 mayalso be included in the lock 3518, including flexing tabs 3524configured to engage the grooves 3522, and the tabs 3526.

FIG. 36A shows a partially assembled view of the connector 3500,including a top view of the housing 3502, and a top view of the ferruleassembly 3508 coupled to the interface member 3516 having areinforcement portion 3530, the spring 3514, and further coupled to thelock 3518. As shown, the ferrule assembly 3508 is configured to includea raised flange 3600. FIG. 36B shows a cross-sectional view of FIG. 36Aalong section X-X. FIG. 36B also shows the raised flange 3600. Thehousing 3502 includes a corresponding ferrule flange stop 3602 tofacilitate proper fitting of the ferrule within the housing 3502.

FIG. 37A shows the assembled connector 3500 of FIGS. 35, 36A and 36B.The connector 3500 may be configured to have an assembled length lessthan about 32 mm, for example, an assembled length of about 23.5 mm orless as shown in FIG. 31. This assembled length is prior to addition ofa strain relief. FIG. 37B shows a cross-sectional view of the connector3500 of FIG. 37A along section X-X. FIG. 37B further shows the raisedflange 3600 of the ferrule assembly 3508, and the corresponding ferruleflange stop 3602 of the housing 3502. Further, FIG. 37B shows that theflexing tab 3524 of the bayonet lock 3518 has engaged the groove 3522 ofthe housing 3502 so as to hold the assembly together. Variousembodiments of connectors disclosed herein may further include a strainrelief.

Various embodiments disclosed herein are compatible with known MPOadapters, and may also be configured for compatibility with new types ofadapters. The adapters may be configured to be fastened to a chassis,bulkhead, panel, or any type of enclosure structure. Various embodimentsmay be configured with alternative types of coupling mechanisms thanthose described herein, for coupling the connectors to the adapters, forcoupling the ferrule assemblies to the housing or for coupling the lockto the housing. Coupling mechanisms may include, for example, a threadedconfiguration, or a clip-type attachment.

Assembly of connectors disclosed herein may be simpler than that ofconventional MT/MPO connectors, at least due to the reduced number ofcomponents and the shorter length of the connectors. Manufacturing costscan be reduced as fewer different parts need to be designed, tooled andconstructed, and inventories of parts can also be minimized.

In external applications wherein the adapters and connectors may beexposed to weather, particularly rain or moisture in general, theconnectors may be configured as ingress protection (IP) connectors thatare waterproof. A standard for such connectors may be an OVDA connector.For weatherproof or waterproof installations, the connectors may includeprotective housings and seals to inhibit water penetration, and mayinclude different levels of ‘ingress protection’ depending on theenvironment to which they will be exposed.

Various parts, components or configurations described with respect toany one embodiment above may also be adapted to any others of theembodiments provided.

This disclosure is not limited to the particular systems, devices andmethods described, as these may vary. The terminology used in thedescription is for the purpose of describing the particular versions orembodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope.

In the above detailed description, reference is made to the accompanyingdrawings, which form a part hereof. In the drawings, similar symbolstypically identify similar components, unless context dictatesotherwise. The illustrative embodiments described in the detaileddescription, drawings, and claims are not meant to be limiting. Otherembodiments may be used, and other changes may be made, withoutdeparting from the spirit or scope of the subject matter presentedherein. It will be readily understood that the aspects of the presentdisclosure, as generally described herein, and illustrated in thefigures, can be arranged, substituted, combined, separated, and designedin a wide variety of different configurations, all of which areexplicitly contemplated herein.

The present disclosure is not to be limited in terms of the particularembodiments described in this application, which are intended asillustrations of various aspects. Many modifications and variations canbe made without departing from its spirit and scope, as will be apparentto those skilled in the art. Functionally equivalent methods andapparatuses within the scope of the disclosure, in addition to thoseenumerated herein, will be apparent to those skilled in the art from theforegoing descriptions. Such modifications and variations are intendedto fall within the scope of the appended claims. The present disclosureis to be limited only by the terms of the appended claims, along withthe full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. It isto be understood that this disclosure is not limited to particularmethods, reagents, compounds, compositions or biological systems, whichcan, of course, vary. It is also to be understood that the terminologyused herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodimentsonly, and is not intended to be limiting.

As used in this document, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the”include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used hereinhave the same meanings as commonly understood by one of ordinary skillin the art. Nothing in this disclosure is to be construed as anadmission that the embodiments described in this disclosure are notentitled to antedate such disclosure by virtue of prior invention. Asused in this document, the term “comprising” means “including, but notlimited to.”

While various compositions, methods, and devices are described in termsof “comprising” various components or steps (interpreted as meaning“including, but not limited to”), the compositions, methods, and devicescan also “consist essentially of” or “consist of” the various componentsand steps, and such terminology should be interpreted as definingessentially closed-member groups.

With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singularterms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from theplural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as isappropriate to the context and/or application. The varioussingular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sakeof clarity.

It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, termsused herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of theappended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term“including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” theterm “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term“includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,”etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if aspecific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such anintent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence ofsuch recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid tounderstanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of theintroductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claimrecitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed toimply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinitearticles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing suchintroduced claim recitation to embodiments containing only one suchrecitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases“one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or“an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should be interpreted to mean “at least one”or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articlesused to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specificnumber of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, thoseskilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should beinterpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the barerecitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, means at leasttwo recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in thoseinstances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, and C,etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the senseone having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “asystem having at least one of A, B, and C” would include but not belimited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and Btogether, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and Ctogether, etc.). In those instances where a convention analogous to “atleast one of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, in general such a constructionis intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understandthe convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, or C” wouldinclude but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, Calone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A,B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those withinthe art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting twoor more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, ordrawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities ofincluding one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. Forexample, the phrase “A or B” will be understood to include thepossibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.”

In addition, where features or aspects of the disclosure are describedin terms of Markush groups, those skilled in the art will recognize thatthe disclosure is also thereby described in terms of any individualmember or subgroup of members of the Markush group.

As will be understood by one skilled in the art, for any and allpurposes, such as in terms of providing a written description, allranges disclosed herein also encompass any and all possible subrangesand combinations of subranges thereof. Any listed range can be easilyrecognized as sufficiently describing and enabling the same range beingbroken down into at least equal halves, thirds, quarters, fifths,tenths, etc. As a non-limiting example, each range discussed herein canbe readily broken down into a lower third, middle third and upper third,etc. As will also be understood by one skilled in the art all languagesuch as “up to,” “at least,” and the like include the number recited andrefer to ranges which can be subsequently broken down into subranges asdiscussed above. Finally, as will be understood by one skilled in theart, a range includes each individual member. Thus, for example, a grouphaving 1-3 cells refers to groups having 1, 2, or 3 cells. Similarly, agroup having 1-5 cells refers to groups having 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 cells,and so forth.

Various of the above-disclosed and other features and functions, oralternatives thereof, may be combined into many other different systemsor applications. Various presently unforeseen or unanticipatedalternatives, modifications, variations or improvements therein may besubsequently made by those skilled in the art, each of which is alsointended to be encompassed by the disclosed embodiments.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A connector comprising: a ferrule assembly;a housing having a rear portion being configured to receive the ferruleassembly, the housing being further configured to couple to an adaptercorresponding to the ferrule assembly; a lock coupled to the rearportion of the housing and configured to rotate so as to lock thehousing to said adapter; the ferrule assembly disposed within thehousing, wherein the housing includes at least one catch and the ferruleassembly is secured to the housing by the at least one catch of thehousing; and an interface member configured to limit rotation of thelock and having a reinforcement portion configured to reinforce anoptical fiber cable received by the interface member; wherein thehousing includes at least one recess for receiving a catch of saidadapter; and wherein the lock includes at least one tab configured tocover the catch of said adapter disposed in the at least one recess ofthe housing when the lock is in a locked position.
 2. The connector ofclaim 1, wherein the ferrule assembly is one of an MT/MPO ferruleassembly and an MPO ferrule assembly.
 3. The connector of claim 1,wherein the lock is a ring configured to rotate about the housing. 4.The connector of claim 1, the housing being the only housing of saidconnector.
 5. The connector of claim 1, wherein the lock is disposedabout the rear portion.
 6. The connector of claim 1, wherein the lockincludes at least one flexing tab configured to snap into a respectivegroove of the housing so as to couple the lock to the housing.
 7. Theconnector of claim 1 wherein the ferrule assembly includes a raisedflange and the housing includes a corresponding ferrule flange stop, theferrule assembly being secured to the housing between the ferrule springand the ferrule flange stop.
 8. The connector of claim 1, wherein the atleast one tab is configured to uncover the catch of said adapterdisposed in the at least one recess of the housing when the lock is inan unlocked position, to allow decoupling the housing from the adapter.9. The connector of claim 1, wherein the lock is further configured torotate so as to unlock the housing from said adapter.